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Posted May 18, 2010
By LauraCC,
Only a few short months after releasing his first Christmas album, Anthony Evans gives us Undisguised.
As a direct response to his own lack of enthusiasm to perform one night at a concert, he made the choice
to go through with it anyway. It was a rewarding experience that made him see his own weaknesses and
hidden emotions. With this in mind, Undisguised is his honest confession to those of us who weren't
there to see it firsthand. 9 of the 12 songs included are originals, co-written with such names as
drowning-in-awards Jason Ingram, Michael Boggs, and Kari Jobe (who also sings along on "Rejoice").
What strikes you first about this album is the fact that you can hear what he's saying. Evans has a clear
voice which might be too quiet at times for some, but there are no dud songs on this album. I’ve always
appreciated the simple beauty of "Mighty To Save" since hearing Laura Story’s version, but Anthony
brings a new intimacy to these verses. The moment of surrender ("So take me as You find me, all my
fears and failures") seems less corporate, as though he was alone in a room save for angels. "You
Alone" is a spirited song of praise to God that I found myself liking instantly.
(Sidenote: is it just me or does he sometimes sound like Bart Millard in the chorus?)
Of course, the natural result of realizing you shouldn't hide your true self away is to affirm that only
Jesus's opinion of you counts. Anthony does so in the powerful "All That Matters". I'm pretty sure this one
is destined for a music video because of its testimonial nature. "Love Is" delivers the message that the
risks of loving completely are worth every cost imaginable.
Since the beginning of time, our humanity has been our greatest shame. We make every attempt to hide
our weaknesses not only from other people just like us, but from a God who already knows our failures
and frailties. He is waiting on nothing more than our confession. Combining praise with complete
honesty, Undisguised is surrender in poetry, submission set to melody; an altar call for the broken in
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